TangoCity
GOLD
2016 Coast Soccer League Cup
Link:
http://www.coastsoccer.com/2016/LC12G.HTM
On tap this weekend (Sunday OCT 30th) are the first round pool play games. In the first round of pool play there are 14 pools of 3 bronze level teams. Each team plays two pool play games with the winner of each pool moving on to the second pool play round where higher level teams await them. All games from the same pool are played at the same venue. Usually, but not always - one of the three teams in the pool will host the games at their home fields.
League Cup Format: Two rounds of pool play with higher seeded teams byed into the second round of pool play. Second round pool play winners plus one wild-card team then move on to the single elimination bracket. Teams are seeded in pool play based on what level they play at (ie - Gold, Silver Elite, Silver, Bronze) and what their records were at approximately the half way point of league play.
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Pool AA (The Group of Death)
Location: Placerita JR HS, Santa Clarita
Date: SU OCT 30
Winner Goes To: Pool AP (Fullerton Rangers White G, YASC Spartans FC SS)
Teams:
Saugus United AC (Bronze North, 5-2-3, GF: 20, GA: 12, Rank #204, SoS Rank #217)
Currently sits in second place in a very competitive Bronze North division. They currently don't have any impressive wins under their belt this season, though they have played the first place team in their division to two ties. Even though they are playing near home - they will likely be on the outside looking in of this tough group.
OC Premier Black (Bronze South, 5-3-3, GF: 34, GA: 16, Rank #153, SoS Rank #161)
It is difficult to get a good read on this team. One week they tie first place Albion SC OC White 2-2 and then the next week lose by two goals to Pacific SC HB who has a minus 30 goal differential. The potential is there to win this pool.
FC England (Bronze West, 6-2-0, GF: 24, GA: 4, Rank #135, SoS Rank 189)
This is the team clicking on all cylinders in this pool. FC England has won five games in a row, including a convincing 4-1 trouncing of previously undefeated South Bay United. They do have a huge league game against FRAM Taylor on the Saturday before pool play that could wear them out a little, but I'd give them the nudge to win the pool.
Prediction: 1) FC England, 2) OC Premier Black, 3) Saugus United AC
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Pool AB
Location: Heritage Elementary, Tustin
Date: SU OCT 30
Winner Goes To: Pool AQ (CCU Socal Academy G, Palm Desert SC SS)
Teams:
Albion SC OC White (Bronze South, 9-0-2, GF: 53, GA: 8, Rank #74, SoS Rank 156)
Albion OC White has been dominating the Bronze South and along with La Mirada and Celtic St. Patrick are probably the best the Bronze has to offer at this age group. They have had a few scares of late and have gone 3-0-2 over the last five games. They will bring overwhelming fire power to this pool and these games will be nothing more than a tune up for the next round.
AV United AC (Bronze North, 5-3-1, GF: 17, GA: 12, Rank #222, SoS Rank 247)
Will have to play the game of their life to beat Albion. Would be smart to pack it in and hope for a lucky counter attack goal.
Simi Valley Premier Green (Bronze Gamma, 3-5-1, GF: 7, GA: 16, Rank #242, SoS Rank #237)
Will be lucky to get out of pool play having scored a goal. They got a tough draw.
Prediction: 1) Albion SC OC White, 2) AV United AC, 3) Simi Valley Premier Green
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Pool AC
Location: IE Surf Complex, San Bernadino
Date: SU OCT 30
Winner Goes To: Pool AR (BYSC Corona United G, Fullerton Rangers Blue SS)
Teams:
South Bay United (Bronze West, 8-1-0, GF: 41, GA: 7, Rank #121, SoS Rank #185)
Other than FC England, South Bay United has been beating up badly on the other Bronze West teams. They definitely are the class of this pool and should have little problem advancing.
IE Surf Corona (Bronze East, 5-6-1, GF: 18, GA: 16, Rank #210, SoS Rank #201)
Needs to hope the wind howls in its afternoon game in San Bernadino against South Bay United to help level the playing field. They likely split their two games.
Santa Anita (Bronze Central, 1-7-1, GF: 7, GA: 36, Rank #248, SoS Rank #243)
Two and out. They haven't done anything in league play to think they have a shot to win either game.
Prediction: 1) South Bay United, 2) IE Surf Corona, 3) Santa Anita
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Pool AD
Location: Conejo Creek South, Thousand Oaks
Date: SU OCT 30
Winner Goes To: Pool AS (FRAM Ferren SEN, California Elite SC SN)
Teams:
Thousand Oaks FC AC (Bronze Beta, 9-1-2, GF: 45, GA: 8, Rank #165, SoS Rank #195)
The Thousand Oaks Challenge team prides itself on defense. They got an excellent draw and should be favored to advance on their home fields.
LA Premier FC Black (Bronze Central, 2-5-1, GF: 12, GA: 23, Rank #224, SoS Rank #167)
While they should be competitive with Celtic Hoops, they will get shutout by T.O.
Celtic Hoops (Bronze Delta, 3-5-1, GF: 8, GA: 19, Rank #235, Sos Rank #225)
They have one of the more interesting uniforms. Second place is possible.
Prediction: 1) Thousand Oaks FC AC, 2T) LA Premier FC Black, 2T) Celtic Hoops
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Pool AE
Location: Placerita JR HS, Santa Clarita
Date: SU OCT 30
Winner Goes To: Pool AT (UIFC Venom SC SES, Ventura FC Strikers SA)
Teams:
FC North Valley AC (Bronze Gamma, 9-0-1, GF: 36, GA: 2, Rank #196, SoS Rank #200)
They have only given up two goals in league play and are assured at this point a bump up to the Silver level for next year. Sol could challenge them if they don't bring their A game.
Sol (Bronze Alpha, 4-4-1, GF: 13, GA: 8, Rank #167, SoS Rank #167)
Sol is also difficult to score against and they could very easily pull off the upset. Both teams need to pound Valencia UTD as this pool could come down to a tie-breaker.
Valencia UTD 3162 AC (Bronze North, 1-7-1, GF: 1, GA: 42, Rank #240, SoS Rank #227)
One goal scored and 42 against. This won't be pretty as they will be facing two teams trying to beat them badly to improve their tie-breaker standing.
Prediction: 1T) Sol, 1T) FC North Valley AC, 3) Valencia UTD 3162 AC
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Pool AF
Location: San Bernadino Complex, San Bernadino
Date: SU OCT 30
Winner Goes To: Pool AU (Simi Valley Eclipse SEN, Celtic Harps SS)
Teams:
Apple Valley Storm (Bronze Delta, 8-0-1, GF: 34, GA: 5, Rank #129, SoS Rank #188)
They should dominate this pool as they have a very good draw here. Apple Valley is a good Bronze team who won the IE Surf Challenge tournament back in late August over Celtic St. Patrick.
Simi Hawks FC AC (Bronze Gamma, 3-5-2, GF: 27, GA: 17, Rank #218, SoS Rank #259)
Four of their five league losses were only by one goal. They are decent - but the second best in this grouping.
Westminster SA (Bronze South, 3-8-0, GF: 11, GA: 62, Rank #251, SoS Rank #186)
Have fun girls.
Prediction: 1) Apple Valley Storm, 2) Simi Hawks FC AC, 3) Westminster SA
Continued in next post....
